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Frank Wilhelm

October 19, 2021
Portage, MI

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Passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 19, 2021. Frank was born on July 3, 1943 to the late Joseph and Elsie (Hoffman) Wilhelm in Connersville, IN. He started his career in pre-cast concrete with the PreCon Corporation in 1964 as a draftsman. Throughout his time with them he held many titles, Production Control Manager, Contracts Manager and Operations Manager. During this time Frank also earned an Associate Degree in Business Administration from KVCC. He then went on to take a position with Kerkstra PreCast, where he finished out his career, retiring in 2008 as Project Manager. After retirement, he continued on as a consultant for them for several years. Frank married Ginger Higley O'Neill on October 24, 1987 in Kalamazoo and she survives him. Frank had many joys in his life, with family being his first. He also enjoyed boating on Austin Lake (especially pulling his grandkids around on tubes and skis), trap shooting, woodworking, playing his beloved Gibson guitar, and he also had a passion for aviation. In retirement, Frank and Ginger enjoyed many winters in their RV spending time traveling between Gulf Shores AL, Sebring and Tavares FL where they met many lifelong friends. Frank was a member of the Lakes Area Conservation Club, Kalamazoo Rod and Gun Club, and the Southern Michigan Gun Club, where he made many cherished friends. Surviving Frank are his loving wife Virginia "Ginger"; children, James (Michelle) Wilhelm, Gale (Chris) Watkins, Kim (Bob) Jacobs and Kristie Fordyce; grandchildren, Sophia, Alex and Elise Wilhelm, Madison and Griffin Jacobs, Allison and Ben Fordyce; siblings, Robert Wilhelm and Doris Wilhelm. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Nicholas Jacobs. The family will greet friends on Wednesday, October 27 beginning at 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm, when a service will take place at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services 411 E Centre Ave Portage, MI 49002. Interment will immediately follow the service at Portage South Cemetery. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Lakes Area Conservation Club or The National Pancreas Foundation, in memory of Frank. Please visit his personalized webpage at https://www.langelands.com